SSPC-QP 9

August 1, 2008
Editorial Revisions February 15, 2012

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

QUALIFICATION PROCEDURE NO. 9

Standard for Evaluating Qualifications of Painting Contractors
Who Apply Architectural Paints and Coatings

1. Scope preparation and architectural paint and coating application

services.
1.1 This standard procedure contains requirements for Architectural Coatings: Paints and coatings applied
evaluating the qualifications of painting contractors who apply on-site to new and existing commercial, institutional and
architectural coatings on commercial or institutional structures, industrial buildings.
and defines a minimum standard for qualification. Auditor: The person technically qualified to perform audits
of a contractor’s management structure; organization structure;
1.2 The objective of this procedure is to determine if a personnel, technical capability; quality management system;
painting contractor has the management structure; organiza- and safety, health and environmental compliance programs
tion structure; qualified personnel; technical capability; quality on behalf of the Qualifying Agency and report findings to the
management system; and safety and environmental compli- Qualifying Agency’s audit program manager.
ance programs in order to perform surface preparation and Owner: The owner (or owner’s legal representative) of
architectural coating application of the required quality under the building/structure/facility to be painted.
the conditions and restrictions specified by the owner. Customer: Entity (e.g., the building owner, developer,
property manager or leasing agent, general contractor, or
1.3 In addition to the evaluation criteria outlined in this architect/designer) having the agreement with the painting
procedure, the owner is advised to review items not covered contractor for architectural coating application.
by this procedure. Examples include, but are not limited to, Procedure: The sequence of steps taken to carry out a
the applicant’s financial stability; performance history; bonding particular course of action.
capacity; and ability to successfully complete a specific project Qualification: The objective evidence by which written
in the time frame required. assurance is given that an applicant conforms to the prescribed
set of conditions or requirements of this procedure.
1.4 The procedure encompasses the application of archi- Qualifying Agency: The organization responsible for
tectural coatings in the commercial and institutional sectors development, maintenance, sponsorship, and operation of a
only. Field industrial or marine protective coating applications program to ensure uniform compliance with the provisions of
on steel structures is covered by the requirements of SSPC-QP this procedure.
1, “Standard Procedure for Evaluating Qualifications of Painting
Contractors.” Painting of steel and miscellaneous metal parts 2.2 TYPES OF STRUCTURES: Commercial and institu-
in the shop is covered by SSPC-QP 3, “Standard Procedures tional structures encompass a wide range of building types and
for Evaluating the Qualifications of Shop Painting Applicators.” interior and exterior configurations. Architectural coatings are
SSPC-QP 8, “Standard Procedure for Evaluating the Qualifica- normally applied for aesthetic purposes, protection, or signage.
tions of Contracting Firms that Install Polymer Coatings and Examples include but are not limited to: retail stores, shopping
Surfacings on Concrete and Other Cementitious Substrates,” centers; office buildings; schools, colleges and universities;
covers installation of resinous flooring and surfacings. The resi- libraries, institutional buildings, public and military housing;
dential painting and decorating finishing markets are covered apartment buildings; warehouses and product storage and
by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) distribution centers, medical and dental facilities; sports and
Accreditation Program1. recreational facilities; airports, rail and bus stations. Although
the required evaluation functions are similar for all commercial
2. Description and institutional structures, the specific skills (e.g., scaffolding;
hazardous paint removal) are often quite different for painting
2.1 DEFINITIONS a particular office building and painting a particular military or
public housing project.
Contractor: The individual or entity with which the owner
or customer has entered into an agreement to provide surface 2.3 FUNCTIONS TO BE EVALUATED: There are
four qualification categories to be evaluated: Management
1
For information on PDCA accreditation, contact the Painting and Procedures, Technical Capabilities, Job Quality Procedures,
Decorating Contractors of America, 1801 Park 270 Drive, Suite and Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance. General
220, St. Louis, MO 63146, or visit http://www.pdca.org.

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SSPC-QP 9
August 1, 2008
Editorial Revisions February 15, 2012

requirements for each of these categories are presented in Compliance Program in accordance with requirements of
Section 3. Sections 3.3.3 and 3.4.2. No site audit is required to qualify
for this Category.
2.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA: The Qualifying Agency Category 4: Contractor has minimal experience (0-2 years)
shall develop criteria or rating plans to initially evaluate and but has established programs to comply with the Management
monitor each applicant against the established criteria. The requirements of this procedure as a result of a review and
Qualifying Agency shall also determine which of the specific acceptance of submittals by the Qualifying Agency. No site
evaluation items within the four categories are to be reviewed audit is required for this Category.
during follow-up audits, ensuring the items evaluated are the A comparison of the requirements for each of the catego-
same for all applicants. ries is shown in Table 1.
To qualify for any category in the leftmost column, the
2.5 QUALIFICATION CATEGORIES: This standard is contractor shall meet all of the requirements listed in the
composed of four qualification categories described below. corresponding row. For example, to qualify for Category 1,
Where no Category is specified in a contracting document, the contractor shall: 1) have greater than five years experi-
requirements for Category 1 shall apply. Contractors who are ence; 2) have implemented a formal Quality Monitoring (QM)
qualified to Categories 4, 3 or 2 are expected to progress to program; 3) have implemented formal Safety and Environmental
the next highest qualification category within a time frame Compliance programs; 4) have submitted an application for
established by the qualifying agency. certification accepted by the qualifying agency; and 5) have
Category 1: Contractor has demonstrated a minimum passed an external audit at both its headquarters and one or
of five years of successful experience applying architectural more representative job sites.
paints and coatings in the commercial or institutional property In another example, a contractor who has 10 years
markets and is found to be in compliance with all requirements experience in the commercial painting industry and a written
of this procedure. Category 1 qualification requires both an and field-implemented Safety and Environmental Compliance
office and a jobsite audit. program but who lacks a written QM program will not qualify
Category 2: Contractor has demonstrated a minimum of for Category 1. That contractor shall enter the program in
three years of successful experience applying architectural Category 3, and cannot move into Category 2 until a written
paints and coatings, in the commercial or institutional property QM program has been developed and an on-site audit has
markets and is found to be in compliance with all requirements been passed. To move into Category 1, the contractor shall
of this procedure with the exception of full implementation be able to demonstrate field implementation of the written QM
of a Job Quality Monitoring System in the field. Category 2 program and pass a field and headquarters audit.
qualification requires an office audit only.
Category 3: Contractor has a minimum of two years 3. General Qualification Requirements
of successful experience applying architectural paints and
coatings in the commercial or institutional property markets 3.1 MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES: The applicant shall
and is found to be in compliance with all requirements of this demonstrate adequate procedures for disseminating company
procedure with the exception of development and implementa- policies and procedures to workers, administrative and financial
tion of a Job Quality Monitoring System and an Environmental staff as follows:

TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL PAINTING CONTRACTOR
QUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

Formal Safety/
Environmental
Minimum Years Formal QM Compliance Application & Pass On Site
Category Experience Program Program Submittal External Audit
Yes
Category 1 5 Implemented Implemented Yes (Headquarters and
Jobsite)
Yes
Category 2 3 On Paper On Paper Yes
(Headquarters Only)
Category 3 2 No No Yes No audit required
Category 4 less than 2 No No Yes No audit required

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 SSPC-QP 9
August 1, 2008
Editorial Revisions February 15, 2012

3.1.1 Company Policy: 3.2.1 Production Personnel Qualifications:

a. General mission statement with separate declarations a. The contractor shall provide documented evidence
on quality, safety, and environmental protection goals that technicians/craft workers are trained and quali-
and commitments is made available to all employees. fied and their performance evaluated according to
b. There are implemented procedures for disseminating the requirements of Appendix A.
company policies to personnel employed by the b. The contractor shall provide evidence that all techni-
organization and any workers under its direction. cians/craft workers are either formally trained or are
in the process of being formally trained in the inter-
3.1.2 Organization and Personnel: pretation and use of standard industry specifications
a. There exists an organizational chart showing divi- and standards acceptable to the Qualifying Agency.
sion of responsibility within the company. The chart
reflects actual practice and is reviewed and signed 3.2.2 Technical Resources:
by the President or CEO annually. a. The contractor shall provide a list of technical soci-
b. The contractor maintains a list of names, titles, duties, eties, trade associations, or other industry groups
and job descriptions for key personnel (management, (e.g., universities, major manufacturers, consultants)
technical, quality management, safety and environmental with which contractor is associated in order to keep
compliance) involved in purchasing and handling of abreast of industry standards, technology, product
materials needed for painting or surface preparation, as information, etc.
well as personnel directly involved in surface preparation b. The contractor has current or specified versions of
and painting operations. technical standards and references (e.g., manu-
c. There is a list of in-house or external training courses facturer’s product data sheets and manufacturer’s
and written career advancement programs available material safety data sheets-MSDS; PDCA standards;
to and attended by key personnel. MPI Standards) applicable to the work it performs.
Project-specific references and standards shall be
3.1.3 Administrative and Management Procedures: available to production personnel at the job site.
The contractor shall implement the following:
a. Procedures for maintaining financial recordkeeping 3.2.3 Procedures: Description of implemented procedures
consistent with generally accepted accounting practice. that are used to convert job specifications into field work orders,
b. Procedures to review job specifications, contract job plans, etc., including:
documents and other related bid documentation. a. Written records of receipt and internal processing of
c. Procedures for complying with federal, state, and job specifications and revisions.
local environmental, health, and safety regulations, b. Procedures for formally clarifying ambiguous, errone-
wage and hour and other applicable regulations. ous, omitted, or conflicting specification and contract
d. Procedures for management review of regulatory requirements.
violations including determination of root cause and c. Procedures for communicating specifications and
implementation of policies and practices to avoid work procedures, revisions and change orders to
repeat violations. quality control personnel and production supervi-
e. Procedures for obtaining and maintaining required sors.
business licenses in locales where work is done. d. Procedures for requesting and obtaining approval
f. Procedures for obtaining and maintaining required from the owner for deviations from contract require-
insurances (e.g. General Liability; Workers Compen- ments, including technical or logistical justification for
sation; vehicle insurance). the request to deviate.
g. Procedures for filing tax returns and other IRS (or
equivalent organization outside the USA) financial 3.2.4 Experience, Equipment, and Facilities
reporting requirements. (Certification Categories 1, 2, 3 only)
h. Procedures for filing proper business documents (e.g.
incorporation papers: Employment eligibility verifica- Experience: The contractor maintains a list of examples
tions, vehicle registrations, building permits, etc). of current and recently completed projects performed under
the applicant’s name which support company’s capabilities to
3.2 TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES: The applicant shall show perform work for the category of certification sought. List shall
evidence of having qualified craft workers, adequate technical include the following:
resources, suitable job conversion procedures, and appropriate a. Owner’s name, address, principal contact persons
equipment, facilities, and experience as follows: and their telephone numbers, email addresses, fax
numbers, etc.

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SSPC-QP 9
August 1, 2008
Editorial Revisions February 15, 2012

b. Description of work performed, including: generic b. Unless third-party inspection is required for a specfic
types of architectural paints/thinners applied with project, the coating inspector is typically provided
name and address of manufacturers; equipment used; by the contractor. The contractor shall employ the
project and shift supervisor’s name(s) and number services of a Paint Inspector(s) who has (have) sat-
of painters required per shift; special safety or envi- isfactorily completed formal architectural painting,
ronmental requirements or provisions; approximate coating and inspection training.2In addition, inspectors
volume of product applied. shall have a minimum of one year of architectural
painting and coating experience. The contractor shall
Equipment: The contractor shall have in place: ensure that a qualified inspector performs all inspec-
a. A system for making and documenting repairs to tions and results are reported as required by contract
equipment and vehicles that limit disruption of pro- documents. It is possible for an appropriately qualified
duction. employee to perform the duties of both the Quality
b. Written preventive maintenance plans for major Control Supervisor and the Paint Inspector.
equipment (e.g., compressors, paint pumps; pres-
sure washing units; spray equipment; ventilation 3.3.2 Personnel Qualifications (Certification Categories
equipment) and evidence of use of such plans. 3 & 4):
a. Paint Inspector(s). All architectural painting and
Facilities: The contractor shall maintain proper storage of coating inspectors shall provide documented proof
coating materials in accordance with manufacturers require- of formal architectural coating inspection training
ments and governing safety regulations. At a minimum, acceptable to the Qualifying Agency.
flammable materials shall be stored in approved containers;
storage area temperature shall be maintained in accordance 3.3.3 Inspection Procedures and Recording Systems):
with manufacturer’s recommendations or overriding safety The contractor shall have a Quality Procedures Manual, which
regulations; paint and solvent shall be stored under cover contains implemented procedures on:
and out of direct sunlight; storage area shall have operable a. How to operate, calibrate and check accuracy (per
fire extinguishers and explosion-proof lighting (if applicable); manufacturer’s instructions) of inspection and test
smoking shall be prohibited; mixing of paints shall be prohib- equipment required to perform job quality control.
ited in the storage area; paint with expired shelf life shall be b. Maintaining and filing in-process and final inspection
segregated from current material; storage area is to be kept reports to record such key information as: ambient
neat and orderly, free of accumulation of empty paint cans, conditions at the start of the job and during painting;
combustibles, and other debris. thinners used and amount; mixing; tinting done; de-
tergent washers or other cleaning agents used during
3.3 JOB QUALITY MONITORING: The contractor shall surface preparation; repair materials used; moisture
demonstrate the existence of inspection equipment and quali- on the surface or transmitting to and from the surface;
fied personnel within the organization who are responsible for wet film thickness of paint applied; equipment used
the job quality monitoring procedures. Quality monitoring (e.g. roller size and type; brush size and type; spray
personnel shall demonstrate knowledge of proper maintenance pressure and tip size). In all instances, the contractor
and use of inspection equipment. Quality monitoring personnel shall document objective evidence of compliance with
are responsible for inspecting work performed, documenting contract requirements, including referenced technical
inspections, and maintaining document control procedures to documents.
ensure conformance with contract requirements. The Qualifying c. Documenting that quality control personnel report
Agency shall establish the criteria for monitoring and has the results directly to the designated level of authority in
option, at its own discretion, to recognize third party certification a timely manner.
as a means of qualifying monitoring personnel. d. Ensuring contractor has formal process control
procedures (PCPs) in place to ensure that repairs,
3.3.1 Personnel Qualifications (Certification Categories surface preparation, painting and related work is done
1 & 2): in accordance with customer and material supplier
a. The contractor shall employ a Quality Control Supervisor requirements.
who has documented proof of successful completion e. Stopping work not conforming to specification and
of SSPC Quality Control Supervisor (QCS) training manufacturer’s requirements and identifying, isolat-
or equivalent training acceptable to the Qualifying ing, and documenting non-conforming product.
Agency. In addition, the Quality Control Supervisor f. Documenting successful completion of corrective
shall have a minimum of 2 years of experience in rework.
quality control for architectural paint and coating ap-
plication or related functions.
2
A training program equivalent to the program offered by The
Master Painters Institute (604) 298-7578; http://www.paintinfo.
com) will satisfy this requirement.

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 SSPC-QP 9
August 1, 2008
Editorial Revisions February 15, 2012

g. Documenting receipt and resolution of customer 3.4.3 Resource Materials

complaints. a. List of available resource materials.
b. Sources of information on safety requirements.
3.3.4 Corrective & Preventive Action: Contractor c. Procedures used for acquiring safety information and
management shall have in place a program to document and materials.
track non-conformities and corrective rework. This program d. Availability of safety information referenced in submit-
shall examine recurring non-conformities in order to determine tals.
the root causes, and shall revise the Quality System manual to
avoid recurrences. Management reviews shall occur at least 4. Evaluation Sequence
annually and shall be documented.
4.1 SUBMITTAL OF WRITTEN APPLICATION
3.4 SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PACKAGE: The initial step is to request an application form
COMPLIANCE and instructions. The request, along with an application fee
shall be submitted to the Qualifying Agency. The application
The submitted application shall document proper safety process involves reporting required information about the
and environmental compliance procedures and recordkeeping contractor as described in the application form. This information
systems and access to resource material as follows: and documentation shall be submitted to the Qualifying Agency
along with the formal application for qualification.
3.4.1 Safety Procedures
a. The contractor shall demonstrate that it documents 4.2 REVIEW OF APPLICATION PACKAGE: The contrac-
safety education, safety meetings, regular job site tor’s application package (application and submittals) is
safety inspections, and other relevant activities. The reviewed by the Qualifying Agency using guidelines for evalu-
contractor shall have an adequate written safety pro- ation that have been established by the Agency.
gram applicable to the work it performs. There shall be
evidence that the program has been implemented at 4.3 AUDITING REQUIREMENTS
all work sites and that is reviewed annually by execu-
tive management for effectiveness and accuracy. The 4.3.1 CATEGORY 2 REQUIREMENTS: Subject to accep-
program shall be updated by a safety professional tance of the application package referred to above and on a
as processes used and regulations change or new date mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the Qualifying
ones are promulgated. There shall also be evidence Agency, the Qualifying Agency will assign an auditor to visit
that program rules are consistently monitored and the contractor’s headquarters. The auditor will perform the
enforced by supervisory personnel who have the following during the audit:
support of upper management to do so. a. Confirm samples of data submitted with the applica-
b. Pre-job safety hazard analysis and planning to tion for qualification.
eliminate or control hazards are performed and b. Conduct interviews with key supervisory personnel.
documented for every project. c. Observe and rate the organization and operation,
c. There is documentation of accident reports, including including management procedures, technical capa-
the investigation to determine cause as well as ac- bilities, quality management, and safety, health and
tions taken to prevent recurrence. environmental compliance programs and procedures.
d. The contractor has procedures for determining effec- d. Examine and rate equipment and facilities require-
tiveness of safety and loss control measures at least ments.
annually or after any incidents or near misses.
e. The contractor has trained applicable personnel on 4.3.2 CATEGORY 1 REQUIREMENTS: In addition to
Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment. the requirements of Section 4.3.1, Category 1 qualification
requires an audit of a minimum of one (preferably several)
3.4.2 Environmental Compliance working jobsites to verify implementation of the requirements
a. The contractor shall have an adequate, current, writ- of this standard.
ten environmental compliance program to handle
processing and proper disposal of hazardous waste 4.4 EXIT INTERVIEW: Following the audit, the auditor
and other waste such as paint cans, used solvent. The will hold an exit interview with a member of management. At
program is consistently monitored and enforced. the exit interview, the auditor will discuss findings (deficiencies
b. The contractor shall have knowledge of Leadership in and omissions), if any. A written schedule of deficiencies and
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards omissions will be provided to the member of management, who
and apply them as appropriate. will be asked to sign it to confirm receipt of the schedule.

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SSPC-QP 9
August 1, 2008
Editorial Revisions February 15, 2012

4.5 EVALUATION OF APPLICATION AND DETERMINA- from the Qualifying Agency. Comments will be in the form
TION OF STATUS: At the conclusion of the evaluation process, of replies to specific questions asked of owners regarding
the auditor will submit findings to the Qualifying Agency, which performance on specific jobs. Owner comments will be treated
will make the final decision regarding applicant status. as confidential.

4.5.1 Qualification: The Qualifying Agency will make final 4.8 REVOCATION: Failure to undergo an annual audit or
determination of the applicant’s qualification status based on pass an audit performed by the Qualifying Agency to maintain
the findings of the auditor and disciplinary or other evaluation qualification following initial qualification, or failure to meet
and administrative criteria defined in the application materials. disciplinary or other evaluation criteria established by the
If the contractor meets program requirements, the Qualifying Qualifying Agency is cause for suspension or revocation of
Agency will issue a certificate identifying the applicant by name program designation. The Qualifying Agency has the option
and by location of the applicant’s headquarters and the category to determine if audits conducted to determine continued
of qualification issued. Subsequent annual reconfirmation is qualification are announced or unannounced. Unless other-
subject to the Qualifying Agency’s requirements. wise determined by the Qualifying Agency, these audits are
performed annually.
4.5.2 Withhold Qualification: If qualification is with-
held, the Qualifying Agency shall submit to the applicant an 4.9. QUALIFICATION PERIODS: Contractors accepted
itemization of deficiencies or other reasons, which resulted into the program at Category 4 automatically advance to Cate-
in the decision to withhold qualification. The applicant will be gory 3 qualification after acquiring two years of experience.
allowed 90 days after notification to submit corrective actions The one-time qualification period for both Categories
and request to be reaudited. 3 and 2 expires after three years. Contractors entering the
program at Categories 3 or 2 are expected to advance to
4.6 METHOD OF APPEAL: If an applicant disputes the the next higher category before the three-year period of their
Qualifying Agency’s decision, the applicant has the option to qualification expires.
appeal, utilizing the following steps of recourse: A contractor who has achieved Category 1 qualification
• Notify the Qualifying Agency within 10 working days is certified for a three-year period with annual audits as deter-
after the exit interview, specifically identifying reasons mined by the Qualifying Agency. At the end of this three-year
for the appeal. period, the certification term expires and the contractor shall
• Arrange with the Qualifying Agency to have a different re-apply for a new three-year term.
auditor acceptable to both parties brought in at the
applicant’s expense to audit the applicant for compli- 4.10 QUALIFYING AGENCY FILES: The Qualifying
ance with this procedure’s requirements. Agency will maintain a list of approved architectural painting and
In the event the foregoing steps fail to resolve any dispute, coating contractors, as well as pertinent information submitted
the contractor has the option to request arbitration in accor- by owners and users who have utilized the applicator’s services.
dance with arbitration procedures set up under the Qualifying This information will assist in the validation process during the
Agency’s Disciplinary Action Program. requalification period.
All information gathered will be used only for purposes
4.7 RECONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATION: intended. Information determined to be proprietary in nature
will be treated as confidential.
4.7.1 Internal Audit (Category 1 Only): The applicant
shall at his own expense perform an annual internal audit, 5. Disclaimer
based on the requirements of Section 3 above, following initial
qualification. Confirmation that an internal audit has been While every precaution is taken to ensure that all informa-
successfully completed shall be documented and provided to tion furnished in SSPC guides and standards is as accurate,
the auditor or Qualifying Agency upon request. complete, and useful as possible, SSPC cannot assume any
responsibility, nor incur any obligation, resulting from the
4.7.2 Owner and Customer Comments: Owners and use of any materials or methods specified therein, or of the
customers for whom the applicant performs work will have an procedure itself.
opportunity to comment on the qualified applicator’s perfor-
mance by completing an owner comment form available

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 SSPC-QP 9
August 1, 2008
Editorial Revisions February 15, 2012

Mandatory Appendix A: C. QUALIFICATION TO APPLY SPECIFIC MATERIAL

Example of General Training and Qualification AND USE NEW EQUIPMENT
Requirements for Craft Workers3
The program shall contain procedures to qualify technician/
A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION craft workers to apply materials or use equipment unfamiliar to
the craft worker. The program shall also document that those
In order to meet the requirements of Section 3.2.1.a, the workers have been qualified/trained
contractor shall implement a written program to:
a. Assess the skills and general training needs of newly D. QUALITY CONTROL OR TRAINING MANAGER
hired technicians/craft workers4 and qualify them for
their assigned tasks; Each contractor shall designate a Quality Control or
b. Verify the qualifications of existing technicians/craft Training Manager to be responsible for implementation of the
workers; company’s technician/craft worker training and qualification
c. Train inexperienced technicians/craft workers (train- program and monitoring its effective use in the field.
ees) as necessary The Quality Control or Training Manager shall have suffi-
d. Evaluate the performance of technicians/craft workers cient technical knowledge and documented training in the use
at least once per calendar year and provide additional of specific materials and equipment.
training as necessary
e. Ensure compliance with contract specific worker E. PROJECT OR WORK PLAN (OPTIONAL UNLESS
training/qualification requirements REQUIRED BY CONTRACT)

B. CONTENTS OF THE PROGRAM - GENERAL The contractor’s job specific work plan or process proce-
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS dures shall state how the work is to be done in order to meet
customer requirements and define the qualifications of the
Newly Hired Experienced Technician/Craft Workers technician/craft workers performing that work.

The program shall contain provisions to administer written Annual Performance Evaluation
tests and/or a hands-on evaluation to assess the skills of new
hires that claim to have previous experience, or verify previous The contractor shall have implemented procedures and
qualifications through a formal training or qualification program. documentation to show that his/her production supervisor
When written tests are used, they shall include informa- evaluates each technician/craft worker’s performance at least
tion that the contractor determines to be necessary to verify annually.
the general knowledge of the trade and the qualifications of
the individual tested to perform work assigned. While it is Nonmandatory Appendix B:
left to the contractor to create or use the test that works best Sample Outline of Craft Worker Training
for its business, the contractor shall show that the questions Curriculum for Architectural Coatings
and answers are based on training materials using a means
and methods established by the Qualifying Agency. A sample 1. Overview
training curriculum is provided in non-mandatory Appendix B. 2. Review
Spray painters shall be qualified per the contractor’s Quality a. Basic components of architectural coatings
Control Procedures Manual using industry accepted qualifica- b. Surface properties of commonly encountered
tion procedures. Technicians/Craft Workers previously trained substrates for architectural coatings
or qualified by a company who have been laid off or who have c. Review of precautions regarding adhesion of
left to work for another contractor, only to return to work for a coatings to commonly encountered substrates
company within a two-year period need not be re-qualified to 3. Overview of architectural coating types
update an assessment of their skills. 4. Overview selection of architectural coatings for specific
uses
Trainees 5. Overview of commonly used substrate repair tech-
niques
General training for trainees shall be based on programs 6. Overview of surface preparation/inspection and testing
approved by the Qualifying Agency. 7. Overview of application/installation and inspection
8. Overview of required safety, health, and environmental
compliance programs
3
This example provides requirements for obtaining qualifica- 9. Exam
tion according to SSPC’s administrative program for qualifying
painting contractors for field application of coatings to complex
structures. Other qualifying agencies may develop their own
requirements for craft workers.
4
A technician/craft worker is one who performs surface prepara-
tion and/or applies architectural coatings.